Cyclones Earn Season's First Win In Tri-Meet

AMES, Iowa – The Iowa State gymnastics team (1-2 overall, 0-0 Big 12) posted their best score of the season on Friday in Hilton Coliseum with a 194.600 in their first home tri-meet since 2010. No. 7 Michigan (2-0) won the meet with a team score of 196.525, while Illinois State (0-3) posted a 187.400.

Floor ExerciseThe Cyclones posted their best score of the night on floor with a 49.150. ISU also had four gymnasts earn marks of 9.825 or better. Junior Caitlin Brown, who tied her career high in the event with a 9.875, led Iowa State. Seniors Henrietta Green and Milan Ivory followed with matching scores of 9.850, while sophomore Kristen DeCosta posted a 9.825. The Cyclones showed tremendous improvement on floor, after posting a 48.225 in their season opener.

Balance BeamIowa State had a team score of 48.500 on beam behind Brown and senior Hailey Johnson, both of whom posted scores of 9.750. Ivory and sophomore Alex Marasco were also bright spots on beam, as both had scores of 9.750.

Uneven BarsCamille Santerre and Brown headlined the Cyclone performance on bars on Friday night. Santerre posted the third-highest score of the evening on the apparatus with a 9.825. Brown was able to eclipse a career-best by receiving a 9.800 from the judges. Her previous career high was a 9.725.

The Apple Valley, Minn. native also set a new career-high in the all-around for the second time in two meets this season. Brown’s score of 39.125 easily surpassed her previous best of 38.900, which was set earlier in the week when the Cyclones opened the season with No. 15 Penn State.

VaultThis was again the apparatus where the Cyclones scored the fewest team points, but there was a great deal of improvement over ISU’s first outing. Iowa State had a team score of 48.450 on vault, led by the trio of Brown, Sara Townsend and Ivory, each of whom earned a 9.700. Aside from floor exercise, the Cyclones showed the largest margin of improvement on vault after scoring a 48.000 in their season-opener.

Up NextIowa State takes to the road for its first road meet of the season against No. 3 at Oklahoma next Friday. The Cyclones and Sooners will open up the Big 12 season at the Lloyd Noble Center at 7 p.m.